Issue Number 31
Issue 31 of the Beatles Book featured a delightful cover photo of George and his fluffy, white kitten.
And, you’re in luck, because those geniuses at the magazine turned the cover shot into a triptych inside with two more photos of Georgie and his feline friend:
The magazine began, as always, with the letter from editor Johnny Dean.
Dean addressed several different subjects in issue 31, which was released in February of 1966.
First, Dean talked about how he AND the Beatles would read all of the fan letters sent into the magazine. Dean also spoke of how difficult it was to pick the featured letters, because they were all so good, so heartfelt!
Dean also addressed complaints from fans that recent issues of the magazine did not include enough photos of George. Dean explained that George just wasn’t on hand in some of those past shoots, but promised there would be plenty of George in the future! (the shots with the kitty were certainly a good start!)
Finally, Dean relayed thanks from George and Patti for all the love fans sent for their recent nuptials. (They were married on January 21, 1966!)
This issue also included a cute little photo sesh with Paul pretending to be a surly, disgruntled stagehand:
“Beatles Talk” made a comeback in issue 31.
This time the recorded chat was between George and Paul. They decided to discuss efforts to put together another Beatles movie (at this point they had released “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Help!”)
George explained that the band was interested in doing a movie with a storyline that didn’t revolve around them being THE BEATLES, but rather getting a chance to play different kinds of characters. He also said writers were sending them too many ideas that were basically repeats of themes their previous movies used.
Paul and George addressed the fact the band had wanted to make a movie based on the Richard Condon novel “A Talent for Loving.” The story is a Western fantasy about an Aztec curse and two cowboys who compete to win the love of a beautiful girl.
It was decided this story was too convoluted to turn into a movie (although it would be turned into a movie in 1969 by a completely different cast, etc). Paul explained that they would still definitely consider a Western, however.
George also said that the movie would certainly include songs, although it would not be a musical, per se.
Finally, John pops in at the end of the recording to cause trouble and turn off the recorder mid-sentece...of course!
(Side-note: despite talk of movies in the near future, it wouldn’t be until spring 1967 that the Beatles would release their next movie, “Magical Mystery Tour.” Paul came up for the idea, which was loosely based on Ken Kesey’s “Merry Pranksters.” The movie was NOT well-received at the time. It currently has a 62% on rotten tomatoes.)
We love how this shot looks like a family photo.
Moving on in the magazine, we got another glimpse at the Liverpool Fan Club.
President and founder, Freda Kelly told readers that she didn’t mind having fans write to her at home, even encouraging it by including her home address. Kelly explained that the fan club received about 400 letters each day, so they were used to the chaos.
Kelly said that, early on in the fan club’s history, the band members were extremely hands on in the club, taking the time to read and respond to letters personally. She revealed that Ringo, in particular, had great interest in this.
Kelly wrote in the magazine that she would go to great lengths to make fans happy, even calling up Beatles’ family members to ask for souvenirs for fans like old buttons, clothing and school projects. Apparently, they were happy to oblige.
There will be more Freda Kelly in issue 32!
Getting into the “Letters from Beatle People” section of issue 31, we chose this adorable poem about how GHASTLY the lads looked on the cover of their LP “We Can Work It Out”/”Day Tripper.”
We love the poem, but cannot, for the life of us, figure out which of the covers she is referring to!
(We DO certainly appreciate that a poet is named Annabel Lee, however, as we’re Poe fans as well!)
Lookit Ringo in the centerfold of issue 31!
The last look we’re taking at this issue is the ever-favorite “Behind the Spotlight.” If you’ll recall, this is the article that takes a look at the Beatles two years earlier, before they became world famous.
However, we’re at the precipice of that world famousness!
We last left the fab four in Paris in early winter of 1964. They were less than a month away from their first American tour.
John just loves his hats!
As the band prepared to see if they could make it in America, their publicist was busy fielding hundreds of phone calls each day from reporters and deejays anxious to secure interviews with the moptops.
We also learned from CBS that it had 50,000 requests for seats for the Ed Sullivan Show for the Beatles’ appearances, which was was about twice as many requests as the show received for seats for Elvis’ appearance at the same time in his career!
We are #loving this duo of dynamic duos dueting!
So, picture this: it’s February 7, 1964, 1:40pm at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport. A Pan Am jet lands, four little moptops deplane to screaming fans.
It was apparent the Beatles were already an American hit!
After getting off the plane, the band was rushed to the Plaza Hotel, then on to Washington for their first show, then they met with the British ambassador, then the Ed Sullivan appearances and they received a congratulations telegram from Elvis himself on those appearances.
It was certainly a whirlwind (as you can tell)!
Throught it all, poor Georgie had a very bad sore throat and had to be treated by a doctor at the Plaza. Even the doctor got in on Beatlemania, asking for autographs (saying they were for his daughters...).
The above photos show some recording session shots!
It was official: Beatlemania had hit the U.S. in full force!
Critics, however, were quick to say the band was all flash, no substance. Those critics said fans were tricked by the Beatles hairdos and suits, they said the music, itself was run-of-the-mill.
Those critics would certainly eat their words in the future!
The lads were, overall very happy with their American experience, but said their favorite part was performing at Carnegie Hall (twice!), because it’s such an iconic institution.
Dozens of celebrities met with the Beatles during their first visit including Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali, of course). Clay declared himself “The Greatest,” but said the band members were certainly, “The Second Greatest!”
Their worldwide fandom was secured. They were officially a world class powerhouse.
And now, getting back to 1966, we’ll end with the back cover, showing John!
Be sure to check back with us for a blog on issue 32 of the Beatles Book soon!
